The penchant for 4WD or 4x4 cars is common among off-road enthusiasts. However, budget constraints often prevent many prospective customers in India from owning these vehicles. The demand for models equipped with off-road capabilities is driven by the desire to explore different terrains in the country. While there aren't many cars in this segment, several auto giants offer a few interesting options to meet the needs of staunch off-road buyers in India. It is important to note that while AWD and 4WD are frequently used synonymously in the industry, both have distinct meanings. An all-wheel-drive system sends power to all four wheels of the car and is classified into two types — full-time and part-time. In full-time AWD, both the front and rear wheels are always powered. However, in part-time AWD, either the front or rear wheels are powered. It's important to remember that the driver has no control over how much power a wheel or set of wheels receives with any type of AWD.
Meanwhile, the drivetrain with four-wheel drive evenly distributes power to each of the four wheels. In a 4x4 vehicle, the driver has to make inputs to go from front-wheel to four-wheel drive. A 4WD system uses a transfer case, which functions as a locking differential, to provide power to the wheels. Here are some of the options that you may consider for purchasing a 4WD car in India.
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Mahindra Thar
The Mahindra Thar has successfully maintained remarkable performance since its launch in October 2020. It is currently available for purchase at a starting price of Rs 10.98 lakh (ex-showroom) and has 2WD and 4WD versions. A 1.5-litre diesel engine with 116bhp and 300Nm, a 2.2-litre diesel unit with 128bhp and 300Nm, and a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol mill with 148bhp and 320Nm are the three drivetrain choices available for the Mahindra Thar. Further, the SUV has two broad variants: AX(O) and LX.
The 1.5-litre diesel and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines have rear-wheel drive; however, the more powerful diesel and turbo-petrol units come with four-wheel drive. While a 6-speed manual transmission is standard, an automatic gearbox is available only for the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines. The Mahindra Thar AX (O) Convertible Top Petrol MT 4WD, the most economical model in the range with this feature, costs Rs 14.04 lakh in India, while the Mahindra Thar LX Hard Top Diesel AT 4WD variant, which is the top model, costs Rs 16.94 lakh. Both are ex-showroom prices.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny
The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is one of the most well-known models on the list that may easily satisfy the off-roading requirements. It comes equipped with a standard AllGrip Pro 4WD system, which consists of a low-range transmission with 2WD-high, 4WD-high and 4WD-low modes, and a manual transfer case. A 1.5-litre naturally aspirated K15B petrol engine, which generates 103bhp and 134Nm of performance numbers, is found beneath the bonnet. Further, it gets two gearbox options — a 4-speed automatic with a torque converter and a 5-speed manual. The car comes in two versions: Zeta and Alpha, and both can be had with the aforementioned gearbox options. To purchase this SUV from Maruti Suzuki, you need to pay a price that ranges from Rs 12.74 lakh to Rs 15.05 lakh. Both are ex-showroom figures.
Force Gurkha
The Force Gurkha 3-door costs Rs 15.05 lakh (ex-showroom) in India. The rival to the Mahindra Thar has an all-wheel powertrain with a 2.6-litre diesel engine that generates 250Nm and 89bhp with a 5-speed manual transmission. However, a low-range transfer case is standard on the off-road vehicle, along with manual front and rear locking differentials. The Gurkha is 4116mm long, 1812mm wide, and 2075mm tall, with a 2400mm wheelbase. Its water-wading capacity is 700mm, and the approach angle stands at 35 degrees.
Mahindra Scorpio-N
While the price of the Scorpio-N from Mahindra starts at Rs 13.26 lakh, the standard 4x4 variant —Z4 Diesel (E) — is priced at Rs 18.50 lakh. Both are ex-showroom figures. The vehicle comes with two engine options: a 2-litre turbo-petrol engine with 200bhp and 380Nm and a 2.2-litre diesel engine with 130bhp and 300Nm, depending on the variant. Both of these engines come with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, but if you opt for the more powerful petrol or diesel engine, you will get a 6-speed automated transmission as well. The SUV is equipped with rear-wheel drive (RWD) by default, although the diesel engine with a power output of 172bhp offers the option of 4-wheel drive (4WD).
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